Spain take no chances

THOUGH they still have to get past the US, Spain are already dreaming of playing the Confederations Cup final against Brazil.

THOUGH they still have to get past the US, Spain are already dreaming of playing the Confederations Cup final against Brazil.

Spain face the US tomorrow at the Free State Stadium with a chance to set an unbeaten record of 36 games while also extending their record 15-match winning streak.

Spain's players are as hopeful as fans of a dream match-up between two of the world's best, but the European champions still won't allow such thoughts to get the better of them.

"To get to the final against Brazil would be a great gameand we're on the way," Spain defender Joan Capdevila said yesterday. "But to think beyond the semifinals would be an error. Who knows if we'll be there or not, so we have to think about the US and that's it."

The US advanced from Group B on goal difference after beating Egypt 3-0 coupled with Brazil's 3-0 win over world champions Italy. Spain beat New Zealand, Iraq and South Africa with a combined score of 8-0.

Spain can feel comfortable ahead of the match because of their amazing run, which began in November 2006, and because they have never lost in three meetings against the Americans.

Fifa's top-ranked team also has a full-strength line-up after Albert Riera was cleared yesterday after a scan of his right hand, which the Liverpool winger hurt in Saturday's 2-0 win over South Africa.

Centre-back Gerard Pique also said Spain will not overlook their surprise semifinal opponents.

"We start as favourites just as Brazil is [favoured] against South Africa. But logic doesn't always exist in football." ­ Sapa-AP